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This week on the Lower Chesapeake Bay Fishing Report, host Luke Barton sits down with two of the area’s most consistent wintertime producers: Captain Travis Kemp of Foolproof Sportfishing and Captain Bill Pappas of Playin Hookey Charters. The common theme is simple: it’s cold, the bite windows can be short, but there are genuine trophies available right now—overslot red drum and citation-class speckled trout inshore, and bluefin tuna within striking distance when the weather allows.
Big takeaways this week include slowing down to an almost painful crawl for winter specks, downsizing line and jigheads to get more bites, and staying flexible offshore as bluefin locations shift with water temperature and bait. You’ll also hear a wild (and very real) reminder that teamwork and communication on the boat matter just as much as tackle when a truly giant fish shows up in your spread.
Conditions Recap
Cold weather is driving everything. In the Elizabeth River, Captain Kemp has been seeing water temperatures swing roughly from the high 30s to low 50s, with most days hovering in the low-to-mid 40s. That kind of water compresses fish into tighter areas and makes them less willing to chase—so success often comes down to finding the right spot and then waiting out a brief feeding window.
Offshore and nearshore, water temperature and clarity are deciding factors day to day. The bluefin bite has been strong close to the beach in certain stretches, while other areas have slowed after a quick temperature drop. With winter weather (and even snow) in the forecast, safe “go” days will be limited—plan around the best windows, and be ready to capitalize when you get one.
Inshore Report: Elizabeth River Speckled Trout and Overslot Red Drum
Captain Travis Kemp reports a steady winter pattern in the Elizabeth: fewer “numbers” days than fall, but a consistent shot at big fish. He’s already seen multiple citation-class trout early in January and says the red drum bite has been strong as well, including days with a pile of overslot fish mixed in. The key is focusing on structure and edges that concentrate bait and provide quick access to deeper water.
Where to look: Kemp has been finding fish along mud flats and the edges of flats in about 8–12 feet, especially when those areas sit near a sharp drop into 15–20 feet. Oyster beds have been a common ingredient, likely because they create small depressions and micro-structure that holds bait and gives predators an easy ambush setup. If you are graphing, pay attention to how fish and bait relate to the ledge and any shell showing on your machine.
How to fish it in the cold: slow down until it feels ridiculous. Kemp’s advice is to fish it so slow that it’s painful—sometimes letting a lure sit long enough that you could send a text before the next twitch. In the coldest water, the fish can still move, but they are far less likely to burn energy chasing. A lure that drifts naturally with current, or barely creeps along bottom, is often the difference between a blank and a trophy.
Gear recommendations and why they matter: Kemp has leaned hard into finesse. Think 6’6” to 7’ medium-light rods, 2000–2500 size reels, 8–10 lb braid, and a light fluorocarbon leader in the 10–15 lb range. The point is not light for light’s sake—it’s about casting distance and a more natural presentation with small baits and tiny jigheads in cold water. He’s even been fishing 1/16 oz jigheads to stay subtle and keep the bait moving correctly near bottom.
Lure notes: he’s been throwing a mix—MirrOlure-style hard baits, soft plastics on jigheads, and small swimbaits—depending on wind and current. One standout has been the Pure Flats SLICK family (SLICK, SLICK Jr, and the smaller “little” profile) on light heads when trout are finicky. His cold-water approach tends to favor smaller profiles. When the water warms and the bite improves, he’ll move up to a larger profile for bigger bites.
Knots and terminal details: Kemp often connects braid to leader with a quick double-uni when he’s moving fast, but prefers an FG knot when he has time because it casts cleaner, especially with longer leaders. On jigs and hard baits he likes a loop knot for added action, particularly when trying to get a subtle lure to work without over-moving it.
Handling and release: the biggest priority is time out of the water. Kemp recommends a rubber-mesh net (even better if it’s damp), minimal handling, and getting big trout back quickly. Winter is a great time to catch a trophy—treat it like a trophy and send it back in strong shape when you can.
Nearshore and Offshore Report: Bluefin Movement, Water, and a Giant Release
Captain Kemp is making the most of a strong bluefin opportunity down near Oregon Inlet, where fish have been caught right outside the inlet and close to the beach when conditions allow. He noted that some areas farther north have slowed after a sharp temperature drop, while the more consistent action has tracked toward warmer water and better-defined breaks closer to the Gulf Stream influence.
Captain Bill Pappas shared one of the most memorable moments of the week: a truly giant bluefin caught while trolling inshore of the windmills after sliding south toward cleaner water and better signs. The fish ate a Nomad Design DTX Minnow, and the fight became a full team exercise—rotating anglers before they were completely spent, staying calm when the fish circled toward the motors, and keeping communication tight between the helm, mate, and anglers. Once they saw the fish was well above the current keeper window, the crew focused on a clean, careful release.
Tactical notes from the bluefin segment: Pappas emphasized staying flexible and committing to a plan when the day’s signs point you somewhere else. He described using speed and boat handling to change angles, pull fish up in the water column when they go straight down, and spin the boat away from danger when a fish makes a run at the props. He also highlighted fishing the correct side of the boat once you know where the fish is hooked, helping keep line angles cleaner during the final stages.
If you have been waiting for a perfect weather window, winter often rewards the anglers who are ready to roll when it opens. Have your gear dialed, your safety plan solid, and be prepared to make the most of a short opportunity.
Book a Trip with This Week’s Captains
To book an inshore trip for speckled trout and red drum (and to get on the calendar now for the spring cobia push), reach Captain Travis Kemp at Foolproof Sportfishing on Instagram, Facebook, or by phone at 252-435-5967.
To hop on a bluefin trip or check upcoming walk-on opportunities, connect with Captain Bill Pappas at Playin Hookey Charters and follow along on Facebook.
